Travel Guides: Minnesota
General Information
Minnesota, in the north central region of the USA, has been dubbed the 'land of 10,000 lakes'. The poetic name of the state is a Sioux phrase meaning 'land of sky-tinted water'. Obviously this means Minnesota is rather wet, thanks to antediluvian glaciers which scoured the landscape, leaving numerous basins ready to be filled by great rivers like the Mississippi.
The result is Lake Superior, with its rocky and scenic shoreline, as well as thousands of other small bodies of water, linked by hiking trails, ideal for outdoor recreation like camping, kayaking, fishing and canoeing. In wintertime the countryside becomes a wonderland for cross country skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding. Pleasant harbour towns and villages hug the north shore of Lake Superior along the scenic Highway 61 drive, that offers breathtaking vistas on its route to the Canadian border.
The original inhabitants of this watery world were the Sioux Indians. In the early 19th century, French pioneers penetrated the thick forests and found a treasure-trove of furry creatures like beavers and muskrats, which sparked a prosperous fur trade in the region, accompanied by fishing and logging. Iron ore was then detected in the hills, and the influx of settlers eventually drove out the Sioux. Today the northeastern extremity of Minnesota still remains as largely unspoilt wilderness, much as it was when the first Europeans came across it in the 16th century.
While there are many jokes about rural Minnesotan stereotypes, most of the population of Minnesota is urbanised, with more than half inhabiting the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St Paul, that occupy opposing banks on the Mississippi River. The cities reflect the jovial culture of the roots of the early settlers, who were largely German, Irish and Scandinavian. The Twin Cities are renowned for their entertainment, attractions and shopping opportunities. Minneapolis in particular is a shopper's dream with the mighty Mall of America situated in its suburb of Bloomington.
Activities
Valleyfair, Minneapolis-St Paul
Valleyfair is the largest amusement park in Minnesota, with 125 acres of rides and attractions ranging from high-speed roller coasters to midway games and an IMAX theater. Valleyfair also has the Soak City Waterpark with a range of waterslides and pools, and Challenge Park, which features the RipCord SkyCoaster. The amusement park's most famous ride is the Wild Thing roller coaster, which travels at 74 mph (120kph) with a drop of 196 feet (60 metres). There is also a Berenstein Bears children's play area and a variety of restaurants and food court areas. Open from spring to autumn, Valleyfair hosts ValleySCARE Halloween-themed attractions every October.
Opening Times:
Daily June-August, selected days in May, September
and October with varying hours
Admission:
$39.99 adults; $18.99 kids less than 48 inches tall;
other concessions available
Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Duluth
Part of Superior National Forest, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (also known as the BWCA), is an immense chain of lakes in north-eastern Minnesota that is extremely popular for canoeing, camping and fishing. With more than a million acres of pristine wilderness, it's no wonder the Boundary Waters is the most visited wilderness area in the United States. Visitors can hike through forests, and canoe along thousands of miles of water routes. No motor vehicles or boats are allowed in the park, and there are strict guidelines as to leaving the area as you found it. Combine this with the fact that you may explore for days without seeing another person, and you understand why the Boundary Waters is the perfect place to get lost in nature.
Mall of America, Minneapolis-St Paul
Located in the southern suburb of Bloomington, the futuristic superstructure of the Mall of America is recognised as the largest enclosed shopping and entertainment complex in the country. It welcomes over 42 million visitors each year and is the fifth most visited attraction in the USA with world-class shopping, family entertainment, nightlife and numerous dining options. There are over 500 stores and specialty shops including the Lego Imagination Center, international department stores such as Bloomingdales, more than 70 restaurants and fast food outlets, cinemas, theatres and nightclubs, a wedding chapel and a mini-golf course. Underwater Adventures is a massive aquarium with touch pools featuring sharks and stingrays. Mall of America's famous centrepiece is Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor theme park with thirty rides and adventures.
Getting There:
Express bus 80 from downtown Minneapolis, or bus 54 from
downtown St Paul. The Light Rail Transit links Downtown
Minneapolis, the international airport and Mall of
America
Opening Times:
Mall open Monday to Saturday 10am to 9.30pm, Sunday
11am to 7pm. Hours for restaurants, nightclubs and other
attractions may vary, as well as summer and holiday hours. The Park
at MOA: Monday to Thursday 10am to 9.30pm, Friday and Saturday 10am
to 10pm, Sunday 10.30am to 7.30pm. Aquarium: Monday to Thursday
10am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 8.30pm, Sunday 10am to
7pm
Admission:
Admission to Nickelodeon Universe is free, but tickets
must be purchased for each ride. An Unlimited Ride Wristband is
$29.95, valid for one day. Aquarium: $18.95 (adults), $12.49
(children 3-12)
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis-St Paul
Internationally renowned for its permanent collection of 20th century paintings, drawings, prints, photography and sculptures, the Walker Art Center is one of the country's leading contemporary art centres and is one of the most visited museums in the USA. It features works by top artists in a range of styles, utilising various multi-media installations and educational programs. Contemporary art can also be experienced here through theatre, dance, video, music and film. Next door is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with creative contemporary work spread across a huge area of parkland. It is the largest urban sculpture park in the country and includes the colossal Spoonbridge and Cherry Fountainby Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, and Frank Gehry's Standing Glass Fish.
Getting There:
Bus 4, 6, 12, 25 from downtown
Opening Times:
Sculpture Garden: daily from 6am to midnight.
Galleries: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm,
Thursday and Friday until 9pm
Admission:
$10 (adults), concessions available; admission is free
on the first Saturday of each month (10am–5pm) and Thursday
evenings (5pm-9pm): the Sculpture Garden is free
Minnesota Zoo, Minneapolis-St Paul
A huge state-of-the-art zoo with over 40 acres of habitats housing more than 2,000 creatures of all kinds, the Minnesota Zoo is a fantastic attraction for those travelling with kids in Minneapolis. It features animals from every continent, and an enormous aquarium. Kids can interact with animals in the touch pool and petting zoo, and when the weather is uncooperative the IMAX Theatre is a place to escape. A monorail offers aerial views of many of the habitats, and is a good alternative to the walking trails for those who tire easily. The zoo has a food court and gift shop, and hosts concerts in the summer.
Opening Times:
Hours vary according to season. See the website for
current times.
Admission:
$16 adults, $10 children under 12. IMAX combo tickets
available.
Target Field, Minneapolis-St Paul
Home to the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball team, Target Field was built in 2010 and is considered one of the most state-of-the-art baseball stadiums in the world. Minnesotans tend to be rather affectionate toward their team, and a day at the ballpark is a fun family activity for Minnesota tourists of all ages, and fans get a picturesque view of the downtown Minneapolis skyline. Tickets can be had for less than $10, depending on the section and the game. The stadium itself is beautifully and intricately constructed, and daily tours will show you hidden secrets like the players' locker rooms, clubhouse, and the elaborate underground systems that both heat and irrigate the field.
Getting There:
The Hiawatha Light Rail and Northstar Rail line both
have stops at Target Field.
Admission:
Tickets range $14-85, depending on section, and are
available from the website.
